Inside Out

Notes on seeking wisdom and crafting software

Like a tree

On one opinion proving the existence of another.

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other.

Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn’t possess, acts but doesn’t expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.

Chapter 2, Tao te Ching

On restricting opinions to their worth, and not relating them with self or people.

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn’t try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn’t try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn’t need others’ approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.

Chapter 30, Tao te Ching

Note to Self. Be like a tree. Keep creating as much as possible. Doesn’t matter which onlooker comes along, rests a while and appreciates the creation or which passes by. Creation must go on, for love and joy.